It had been a few weeks since Etoma first met Diluc. At first, she thought it was just a one-time coincidence. But the very next day, she saw him again at the park.
Etoma wasn't the type to greet others first, so she simply stood off to the side, letting him pass. She assumed he wouldn't remember someone like her—a nobody—and would just continue with his life.
But she was wrong. Diluc was the one who broke the silence. He waved and walked toward her.
"What a coincidence, Etoma. How's your day?" he asked.
"Wueh?" Caught off guard, Etoma froze, completely unprepared.
Diluc chuckled softly, finding her reaction adorable.
"Eh—um—I… um… good…" she muttered, her voice barely audible.
"I see. That's good to hear," he replied gently. "I'm heading to the market to buy a few things. Would you like to come with me?"
"Huh?" Her mind went black once again. Her brain feels like it was crashed by a tsunami of question mark that make her overwhelmed by confusion.
Diluc who was witnessing the event at the front seat couldn't help but laugh quietly at her expression. Then, he extended his hand.
"Eh? B-but I…" Etoma was stumped. stared at his hand, unsure of what to do.
Seeing her hesitation, Diluc who was starting to know her character gently took her hand himself.
"Let's go."
"Ehhhh?!" Diluc then start walking to the market with her. Ignoring her overstimulated reaction.
And just like that, they spent the entire afternoon together.
.
.
The next day, Etoma sat in the park again, distracted. She kept thinking about what happened yesterday.
Surely… it was just coincidence. There was no way she would meet him again. So she decided to treasure that memory as one of the happiest moments in her life.
With that thought, she smiled softly, swinging her legs.
"Hello, Etoma. What a coincidence."
"…!"
Her thoughts were proven wrong once again.
And just like that, the days passed peacefully.
.
.
"Diluc, how was your day?" A red-haired man set down his teacup as he spoke.
"It was fine, Father," Diluc replied.
"How are things with the Knights of Favonius?"
Diluc paused for a moment, then held up a medal.
"That is—!" The man's eyes widened before he burst into laughter.
"I've been promoted to Cavalry Captain, Father." Diluc spoke, smiling.
"Haha! That's my son! I'm proud of you."
After a warm conversation, Diluc prepared to head out.
"Going out again?" his father asked.
"Yes."
"Let me guess… to meet that adorable white-haired girl you keep talking about?"
"You're correct, Father," Diluc said with a small smile.
"Hehe. Next time, bring her here. I'd like to meet her."
"Maybe next time. Though… knowing her, she'd refuse immediately."
"You sound like you know her well already. Hasn't it only been a few weeks?"
"It has. But in that time, I've learned enough. She's kind… and very shy."
"I see. Sounds like she's made quite an impression."
"…Yes."
"Well then, go on. Have fun."
With that, Diluc left the house, already knowing where to find her.
.
.
At the park, Etoma lay lazily on a bench, enjoying the cool afternoon breeze.
She was enjoying life!
Until—
A familiar red-haired figure appeared in her view.
"Wah! You scared me!" She shot upright like a startled cat.
Diluc chuckled.
"Hello, Etoma. How's your day?"
"I-it's been fine…" she replied, glancing away, her cheeks slightly red. Even after weeks, she still wasn't used to how naturally he approached her.
"I see. Do you want to go somewhere today?" he asked.
"M-me?! I—I don't know…"
"Hmm… then how about a walk?" he said, extending his hand.
Etoma stared at it for a moment. Then her face turned red. She quickly looked down, avoiding the handsome red haired batm-(not yet) prince gaze.
After a brief pause, she nodded.
Seeing this, Diluc smiled and gently took her hand.
.
.
By Cider Lake, the two walked side by side while hand holding.
Diluc led the way, while Etoma followed timidly, her eyes glued to the ground like it was her life long nemesis.
"Etoma, my father wants to meet you. Would you like to come over tomorrow?"
"Ehhh?! N-nonono! I'm good!" she shook her head rapidly. Making like a little typhoon.
Diluc laughed.
"I figured you'd say that."
Then, after a moment—
"You know, Etoma… lately, you've been looking more and more like a hamster. Are you actually a hamster in a human body?"
"H-hamster?! D-Diluc-nii(Brother Diluc) is so mean!"
Diluc suddenly stopped walking.
"…What did you say?"
"Eh?! I-I'm sorry!" she panicked. "I didn't mean to—"
"No, no. I'm not upset," he said quickly. "I just thought I misheard. Could you say it again, please?"
Knowing he being mad was not the case, Etoma sighed with relieve and pouted.
"I just said Diluc-nii being a meanie,"
"…Diluc-nii."
This time, he heard it clearly.
Etoma froze. She suddenly realized the situation—how she had just blurted out the word "Diluc-nii," the name she usually used only in her mind when addressing Diluc. Her face started turning as red as a tomato.
"Wawawawa, P-PLEASE FORGET WHAT I JUST SAID! I-I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" She flailed her arms in panic.. Trying to fix the misunderstanding.
Diluc who was already out of his thought, laughed softly on the adorable reaction Etoma just made. With a smile, he patted Etomato(Etoma with tomato color face) on her head.
"Etoma… would you like to become my little sister?"
"E-eh…?" Etoma slowly stopped her outburst and went silent. Her gaze dropped to her nemesis, the ground again.
After what felt like forever, she gathered her courage and gave a small nod.
"Un, I want to, Diluc-nii..." Etoma spoke in a small voice.
That was enough. Diluc can no longer held back and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Then… I'll be in your care."
My cute little sister.